Consumer friendly technology essential: PwC

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A shift in attitudes among clinicians has suggested an increased openness toward using digital technology.

This finding is highlighted in a new report from PwC’s Health Research Institute (HRI).

The report, ‘Healthcare delivery of the future: How digital technology can bridge the gap of time and distance between clinicians and consumers’, offers detailed recommendations for how healthcare companies, clinicians, and new entrants can harness developing technologies to benefit patients and the industry.

“Digitally-enabled care is no longer nice-to-have, it’s fundamental for delivering high quality care,” said Daniel Garrett, health information technology practice leader, PwC US. “Just as the banking and retail sectors today use data and technology to improve efficiency, raise quality, and expand services, healthcare must either do the same or lose patients to their competitors who do so.”

As part of its research, HRI surveyed 1,000 industry leaders, physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants, including members of the board of the eHealth Initiative. It found that caregivers and consumers share similar views on how digital technology can put diagnostic testing of basic conditions into the hands of patients; increase patient-clinician interaction; promote self-management of chronic disease using health apps; and help caregivers work more as a team.

"The adoption and integration of digital technology with existing healthcare processes has not yet fulfilled its potential to transform care and value for patients," said Dr Simon Samaha, principal, PwC. "The next five years will be critical, with leaders emerging from those who use digital technology to innovate and revamp the interactions between consumers, providers and payers."